Port Hedland Netball Association: 2024 Grand final thrills crowds with tight scores and standout performances

It was an evening of excitement, tight matches and standout performances at the Faye Gladstone Netball Courts over the weekend for the Port Hedland Netball Association’s grand final. The day started strong with the youngest competitors, as the 11&U Division saw the White Doves secure a 9-2 victory over the Red Devils, followed by a nail-biting 2-1 win for the Lightning against the Bluebirds. A fierce battle between Illusions and the Eagles in the 14 & Under division saw the Illusions narrowly defeat the Eagles 17-15 in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. In the 16 & Under division, the Eagles dominated with a commanding 47-8 victory over the Lynx. In the B Grade division, the Spectres secured a 43-32 win over Illusions while the C Grade saw the Dragons overpower the Eagles with a decisive 43-19 victory. The A Grade final capped off the day with an electrifying showdown between the Eagles and Illusions, where the Eagles clinched a heart-stopping 37-35 victory in a fierce battle that remained tightly contested from start to finish. 2023 PHNA junior best and fairest Billie Pio’s stellar performance on the court earned her the MVP award for the Grade A game. PHNA president Cath Widdup said the grand final was ‘amazing’ and the closest score lines for a grand final in a long time. “Everything was really seamless, really easy and the vibe was electric down there,” she said. “We had lots of supporters, lots of parents and lots of coloured streamers so it was bloody amazing. “All the teams that made the grand final really earned their place to be there, it was a really great display of talent and athleticism.” Ms Widdup commended the teams for their determination, noting that despite the exhaustion, they pushed past the tight scores to deliver an exceptional performance. “I think it was just that they wanted to win, that whole week they wanted to win for the grand final,” she said. “It’s totally different to any other game so I think that mental aspect of it really comes into play. “You’re hurt, you want to keep playing, but you just keep doing it because you want that end result. “It was a great way to wrap a really successful 2024 netball season - everyone went away with a big smile on their face and it was a really fun afternoon.” Final scores: 11& U White Doves 9 def Red Devils 2 MVP - Patryk Eckersley Lightning 2 def Bluebirds 1 MVP - Anne-Margaret Smith 14&U Illusions 17 def Eagles 15 MVP Skylar Geary 16&U Eagles 47 def Lynx 8 MVP Attaya Bin Saad A GRADE Eagles 37 def Illusions 35 MVP Billie Pio B GRADE Spectres 43 def Illusions 32 MVP Tina King C GRADE Dragons 43 def Eagles 19 MVP Jessica Richardson